About the Book
Book: Love’s True Measure
Author: Lori DeJong
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release Date: June 10, 2025
Shannon Trent has dedicated her life to ministering to teens, even as she hides secrets that haunt her past. Born into privilege, she’s built a simpler life away from the expectations of her influential family. She’s content on her own, believing that to open her heart would mean unearthing her deepest shame. But when her charming neighbor stirs feelings she’s never allowed herself to entertain, his lack of faith provides the perfect excuse to keep her distance.
Hunter Kavanaugh has spent years chasing his dream career. But when his mother’s sudden death leaves him the sole guardian of his teenage sister, his carefully curated world begins to crumble. Struggling with grief, anger at God, and the demands of his job, Hunter is surprised when Shannon’s unwavering faith begins to resonate with him—and her ability to connect with his sister draws him closer.
As Hunter and Shannon navigate their growing bond, unexpected challenges force them to confront their fears and priorities. Both must either choose to trust God’s plan is far greater than their own, or risk losing the love of a lifetime.
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About the Author
Lori DeJong (pronounced DeeYung) is an award-winning contemporary Christian romance author who enjoys penning stories full of grace and the redemptive power of God’s love that inspire others to hope regardless of circumstance, find joy in the moment, and grow in their faith.
Born and raised in Phoenix, Arizona, Lori arrived in Texas in 2005 and dug those roots right in. She currently resides in beautiful Georgetown, north of Austin, with her husband of thirty-plus years. Other than their two fur-babies, their nest is empty, as their daughter graduated from college and settled in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area with her husband, and the sweetest grand-dog ever.
Lori loves to write about love and romance and all that fun stuff, with a firm foundation of faith. Clean but sassy, sparkly, and even goose-bumpy romance, with God in the middle and characters seeking and learning and changing, couldn’t be more heartwarming or spine-tingly.
Lori’s debut novel, “Love’s True Calling”, Book One of her True Calling Series, was the 2020 winner of the Scrivenings Press Novel Starts Contest, winner of the 2022 ACFW Genesis Award for Romance, 2023 Scrivenings Press Contemporary Book of the Year, and a doubl-finalist in the 2024 Selah Awards. “Love’s True Home” was released in 2024 and is a 2025 Selah Awards finalist.
More from Lori
As soon as Shannon Trent showed up in chapter one of my debut novel, Love’s True Calling, I knew she had a story. That there was something underneath all that joy and spunk that haunted her. That she felt she had to hide.
Although born to a life of privilege, she doesn’t want her name to be the measure of her worth. Determined to live a simpler life, she dials in to her faith, only wanting to be and do whatever God says she should be and do.
Hunter Kavanaugh, on the other hand, has overcome the instability of his teenage years to forge his own path. He’s made something of himself by his own grit and determination, and he measures his worth in terms of his success and the things it provides him.
When these two literally run into each other outside their building, his grumpy disposition, and obvious high-powered job, leave Shannon unimpressed. No matter how handsome he might be, she has no intention of getting to know this neighbor any better.
But God …
When these two meet up again, a friendship blossoms. Her heart threatens to take her somewhere she’s never been before, but his unbelief gives her the perfect reason to keep her emotional distance.
When God gave me this story concept, I was a little intimidated. Would I be able to convey the heart of a good man who didn’t have faith? Would I be able to flesh out a woman who had an abundance of faith yet still harbored shame from her past?
But as I started writing this story, I fell in love with these two and their journey to discover the true measure of their worth … and the true measure of love.
Interview with the Author
How do you select the names of your characters?
- Most of the time, I would have to say the character lets me know what their name is. I know that sounds weird, but when I do character development, one of the first things I work on is how they look. If they’re red-haired, maybe they come from Scottish descent. If blonde, maybe Irish or Swedish. Shannon from my new release, Love’s True Measure, was a secondary character in Books One and Two of the series, and when she appeared in Chapter One of Love’s True Calling, I saw her as perky, petite, blonde, and blue-eyed. I felt strongly she was of Irish descent so Shannon it was. If they’re a cowboy, it feels like their name is Cody or Trevor or Cash. I don’t know why, but that’s how most of my character names come to me, by how they look or where they were born.
What was your hardest scene to write?
- There’s a scene where Hunter has to make a life-altering decision, and he had to answer some very difficult questions. It was hard making him go through that, but the scene, and his ultimate decision, was a pivotal part of the book and needed to happen. My heart went out to him and I actually cried writing that scene. It was probably one of the most raw scenes I’ve ever written.
What comes first, the plot or characters?
- More times than not, the characters. Who they are, what their background is, what their life goal is, and what lie to they believe about themselves. Usually the plot will evolve from what I know about the characters.
Who is the author you most admire in your genre?
- This is hard to answer because there are so many. I’ll read anything written by Nicole Deese or Melissa Tagg. Robin Lee Hatcher is another favorite, and if I want to read a good romantic suspense, I’ll pick up Robin Patchen or Dani Pettrey. There are many more, but those are the ones who come to mind first.
What do you like to do when you are not writing?
- I love to read. It’s a great way to unwind and refuel. I also really enjoy cooking shows, especially competitive ones like the Baking Championship shows, the holiday baking shows, pretty much anything from Guy Fieri because they’re just fun. I’ve also recently discovered The Great British Baking Show. Very addictive.
Blog Stops
Stories By Gina, August 2 (Author Interview)
Simple Harvest Reads, August 3 (Author Interview)
Holly’s Book Corner, August 4
Artistic Nobody, August 5 (Author Interview)
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, August 6
Guild Master, August 7 (Author Interview)
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, August 8
Fiction Book Lover, August 9 (Author Interview)
Pause for Tales, August 10
Vicky Sluiter, August 11 (Author Interview)
Where Crisis & Christ Collide, August 11
Texas Book-aholic, August 12
Happily Managing a Household of Boys, August 12
For the Love of Literature, August 13 (Author Interview)
Tell Tale Book Reviews, August 14 (Author Interview)
Blossoms and Blessings, August 15 (Author Interview)
Giveaway
To celebrate her tour, Lori is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon gift card and a signed copy of the book!!
Be sure to comment on the blog stops for extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.